Halo 4 (Video Game Review)

Halo has been around for over 11 years now, and if you hadn't heard, the game was available at launch for the original Xbox, and it completely revolutionized the gaming industry and first-person shooter genre. This event in time single-handedly made Microsoft's Xbox the success it is today and raised the relatively unknown development studio Bungie to one of the most popular video game creators ever. The Halo series ended the Reclaimer trilogy in 2007 with the release of Halo 3 on Xbox 360, but the series continued until the release of Halo: Reach in 2010 that marked the end of the Halo series from Bungie Studios. Fortunately for gamers everywhere, 343 Industries stepped up, and under the guidance of Microsoft, has brought the world the beginning of a new Halo trilogy with the release of Halo 4.

In Halo 4, Master Chief and Cortana return after coming across a mysterious planet known as Requiem and having their ship sucked into a gravity well forcing them to land in the new world. As it turns out, the planet holds the secrets of the ancient Forerunners mentioned throughout the Halo series, but it's also home to a dangerous race of enemies known as the Prometheans. Armed with advanced weaponry and no understanding of human emotions, the Prometheans are the most dangerous enemies the Chief has faced yet, and he must stop his dangerous new enemies from assaulting the human survivors who crash land on Requiem shortly after the game's protagonist crash happens upon Requiem all while coping with what could be the last days he'll spend with his partner AI. Cortana has been in commission well over the average lifespan of most AI, and she is quickly becoming insane at which point she will cease to exist. Halo 4's storyline is the most emotional tale yet, proving the series is in good hands with 343 Industries.

Although Halo 4 features a fantastic storyline that is sure to please even the biggest Halo fans, it's the gameplay refinements of the newest release that makes Halo 4 the must own game for 2012. The game's graphics have been overhauled for the newest release; the breathtaking views of the various environments of Requiem are only outdone by the emotions seen in each character in the game and the fabulous performance capture technology that outperforms nearly any game on Xbox 360. The arsenal of Chief and the other UNSC soldiers have been improved, and you'll find plenty of new weapons and vehicles that add more depth to both the single player campaign and online multiplayer than ever before. The game's sound department has also been completely overhauled as well from the powerful bursts fired from each of the game's firearms, to the movement sounds of Chief and his enemies. Of course, Halo 4 features a brand new soundtrack as well, with the departure of series' veteran Martin O'Donnell making way for British composer Neil Davidge to make his own impact on the series. Every aspect of Halo 4 has been greatly improved upon in the newest release, and shortly after booting up the game, it becomes easy to see that Halo 4 is the best Halo yet!

The Halo series has always been known for delivering the best multiplayer experience around, and that doesn't change with the release of Halo 4. The new game not only features online competitive modes, but a special mode known as Spartan Ops has been added to the game that allows players to experience an online, cooperative campaign that releases in weekly doses long after the release of the game. This great new experience means Halo 4 players can enjoy fresh new content long after the game has released with new missions and a new cinematic so see with each new content drop. All online matches will take players aboard the UNSC Infinity for a little War Games action. The new hub allows you to track your career, search for new matches and customize your Spartan warrior like never before. The game brings back classics such as Armor Abilities, new Tactical Packages and other abilities make their way into the game for further customization and some modes feature weapon drop Ordinances, killer new assassination moves and other fresh new features. Halo 4 is easily the best release on Xbox 360 year and is one of the best seen during the life of the platform. Pick up your copy of Halo 4 today!

Halo 4 is now available from all major retailers and can be purchased exclusively for Xbox 360 for the MSRP of $59.99. Halo 4 is rated M by the MSRB for Blood & Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official Halo 4 website.